SHILLONG: Based on their form this season, Rangdajied United FC seem shoo-ins for the Shillong Premier League trophy, but Malki SC will have something to say about that when the two teams meet in the final at the JN Stadium, Polo, on Friday at 4:45pm.
Rangdajied have played 15 matches in the SPL this season and have been winners in all but one. The non-victory was a 1-1 draw against the team they will face again on Friday.
The two clubs have already played each other three times this season – twice in the league stage and again in the first semifinal.
Malki, meanwhile, have played 16 games and have won 10, losing three and drawing three.
Despite their terrific form, there only needs to be one slip up in the title match for RUFC’s hopes to come crashing down.
They are sure to remember what happened last year when, after a very successful league stage, they lost to Royal Wahingdoh FC in the final.
The absence of Wahingdoh in the grand finale means that the SPL is set to crown new champions for the first time in years; RWFC had won the title three times in a row.
Malki defeated the Royals in the pre-final decider on Monday in a controversial match that saw two of their players (and two from Wahingdoh) shown red cards for a violent scuffle that broke out among the players.
That means that they will miss their goalkeeper Maitshaphrang Kharumnuid and Shankupar Kharbyngar in the final.
They will have to shake this off and come out strongly against Rangdajied, relying on the players at hand, who have done very well this season, like Samson Nongrum, who is one of the leading scorers this year with 13 goals, according to an unofficial tally, while Bansharai Sun has scored 11 for Rangdajied.
Both teams also have a lot of talent on the bench and the two clubs, who have shone throughout the season, will hope to play their best game in search of the trophy.
